Weaver, an assistant GM, had interviewed for the job in early September, and was still a prominent part of the pool of candidates, sources said.

Portland officials conducting the search have failed to reach a consensus on bringing in candidates to meet owner Paul Allen, and had started gauging the interest of more established GMs in the league. Blazers officials hope that offering more money to higher-profile candidates could convince some to push their own owners to let them get involved in the search.